Even when food is covered, many of the veterans and families we serve are one emergency away from crisis.
While our Veterans Food Pantry helps keep meals on the table, the Papa’s Purple Heart Emergency Support Fund exists for the moments when a veteran says, “I don’t know what to do.”
Many are living on fixed incomes, disability benefits, or low wages that are stretched thin by rising costs. A single emergency—like a medical issue, car trouble, a job loss, or a sudden change in income—can push them into choosing between gas, rent, utilities, or medication. Surviving spouses and families coping with grief, trauma, or suicide loss are especially vulnerable during these times.
The Emergency Support Fund gives Papa’s Purple Heart the flexibility to respond quickly when urgent needs arise and there is no time to navigate long waiting lists or complex processes.
Through this fund, we provide small, direct acts of assistance that can make a big difference in stabilizing a veteran or family. Depending on the situation and available funds, support may include:
- Gas or grocery gift cards to help veterans and family members travel to medical, VA, or mental health appointments
- Help with urgent utility bills such as support for electric, water, or gas bills to prevent shut-offs and Short-term assistance that keeps families safe, with lights and heat on
- Limited emergency housing support (when possible). This will help with small emergency housing needs such as short-term stays, application fees, or deposits focused on preventing homelessness or unsafe situations during a crisis
- Essential household and personal care items such as hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, and other necessities that are often out of reach during financial strain.
- Meals, small stipends, or care items for families following the death of a loved one, including suicide loss
Each request is handled with dignity, respect, and confidentiality. Our goal is not to replace long-term services, but to stand in the gap when there is no time to wait. Whenever possible, we also:
- Connect veterans and families to partner organizations and community resources
- Assist with benefits and support navigation
- Help them move from crisis moments into more stable, long-term support
The primary goals of the Papa’s Purple Heart Emergency Support Fund are to:
1. Provide rapid, compassionate assistance during urgent hardship so veterans and families are not left without options.
2. Prevent small emergencies from becoming major crises, such as utility shut-offs, missed medical appointments, or housing instability.
3. Support surviving spouses and families facing grief, trauma, or suicide loss with timely, practical help.
4. Strengthen overall stability by pairing short-term help with connections to longer-term resources and benefits.
Your donation to the Emergency Support Fund helps us:
1. Purchase gas and grocery gift cards so veterans can reach critical appointments and keep food on the table.
2. Cover urgent utility assistance to prevent shut-offs and keep homes safe and livable.
3. Provide limited emergency housing support such as short-term stays or application fees (as funds allow).
4. Stock essential items like hygiene products, cleaning supplies, diapers, and other household necessities.
5. Offer crisis support to grieving families, including meals or care items in the immediate aftermath of a loss.
6. Respond quickly when a veteran or family calls in distress, without long delays or red tape.
Donation impact
$25 can help provide a gas card so a veteran can get to a medical or mental health appointment.
$50 can help keep a utility from being shut off or provide essential household items.
$100 can support a family facing a sudden crisis with emergency assistance or care items after a loss.
$250 can help stabilize a veteran household during a critical month, preventing cascading hardship.
